Garfield Mountain | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 5,519 ft (1,682 m) [1] |
Prominence | 839 ft (256 m) [1] |
Parent peak | Treen Peak (5,763 ft) [2] |
Isolation | 1.32 mi (2.12 km) [2] |
Coordinates | 47°33′10″N121°29′36″W / 47.552794°N 121.493419°W [1] |
Geography | |
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
County | King |
Protected area | Alpine Lakes Wilderness |
Parent range | Cascade Range |
Topo map | USGS Snoqualmie Lake |
Geology | |
Rock type | granodiorite |
Climbing | |
First ascent | August 27, 1940 by Jim Crooks and Judson Nelson [3] |
Easiest route | climbing |
Garfield Mountain, also known as Mount Garfield, is a multi-peak summit located in King County of Washington state. [4] It is located on the western edge of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mount Garfield is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Topographic relief is significant as it rises over 4,400 feet (1,300 meters) above the river in approximately one mile. The mountain's toponym honors James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States.
Garfield Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [3] Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snow onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. [5] During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but, due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer. [5] The months of July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this mountain.
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite walls spotted with over 700 mountain lakes. [6] Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.
The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. [7] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [7] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [7]
During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [7] The last glacial retreat in the Alpine Lakes area began about 14,000 years ago and was north of the Canada–US border by 10,000 years ago. [7] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of that recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area.
Red Mountain is a 5,890-foot (1,795-metre) mountain summit located in King County of Washington state. It is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness which is part of the Cascade Range. Red Mountain is situated three miles north of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Lundin Peak, 0.7 mi (1.1 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff on the north side of the mountain drains into Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, whereas the south side of the mountain drains into the South Fork Snoqualmie River via Commonwealth Creek.
Kendall Peak is a mountain located on the county line separating King County and Kittitas County of Washington state. It is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on the crest of the Cascade Range. Kendall Peak is situated two miles northeast of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff on the east side of the mountain drains into Silver Creek and makes its way to the Columbia River via Yakima River, whereas the west side of the mountain drains into the South Fork Snoqualmie River via Commonwealth Creek. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses its west flank and an exposed section of the trail called Kendall Katwalk has seen tragic deaths over the years, most recently September 5, 2018. The nearest higher peak is Red Mountain, 0.9 miles (1.4 km) to the north-northwest.
Chair Peak is a 6,238 ft (1,900 m) mountain summit located in east King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range and is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Chair Peak is situated three miles northwest of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Chair Peak is located immediately south of Snow Lake which is a popular hiking destination. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 2,200 feet (670 m) above Snow Lake in 0.5 mi (0.80 km). The nearest higher neighbor is Kaleetan Peak, 0.57 miles (0.92 km) to the west-northwest.
Kaleetan Peak is a prominent 6,259-foot (1,908-metre) mountain summit located in King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range and is situated four miles northwest of Snoqualmie Pass. Kaleetan Peak is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It's immediately west of Melakwa Pass and Chair Peak, and north of Melakwa Lake. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 2,400 feet (730 m) above Kaleetan Lake in 0.6 mi (0.97 km). The nearest higher peak is Snoqualmie Mountain, 2.89 miles (4.65 km) to the east. The mountain's name "Kaleetan" derives from Chinook Jargon which means "arrow". The peak was named by members of The Mountaineers and the toponym was officially adopted in 1916 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Lundin Peak is a summit located in King County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Lundin Peak is situated three miles north of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Lundin Peak is a high point on a ridge located midway between Snoqualmie Mountain and Red Mountain. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Originally called Snoqualmie Little Sister, the peak's toponym was changed in 1931 to honor district forest ranger John Lundin.
Huckleberry Mountain is a 6,320+ ft summit located on the shared border of King County and Kittitas County in Washington state.
Bryant Peak is a 5,801-foot (1,768-metre) summit located in King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Bryant Peak is located northwest of Snoqualmie Pass and the Alpental ski area, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Bryant Peak is located south of Snow Lake which is a popular hiking destination. The nearest higher neighbor is Chair Peak, 0.65 miles (1.05 km) to the northwest. Originally called Hemlock Peak, Bryant Peak was renamed in 1925 to honor Sidney V. Bryant of The Mountaineers who made the first ascent of Kaleetan Peak in 1914. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River.
The Tooth is the descriptive name for a 5,606-foot-elevation (1,709-meter) fin-like, andesite pillar located in King County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The Tooth is located northwest of Snoqualmie Pass and the Alpental ski area on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Bryant Peak, 0.44 miles (0.71 km) to the northwest. Originally called Denny Horn and Denny Tooth, The Tooth became the officially recognized name in 1918, with Denny referring to its position on the high ridge between Denny Mountain and Chair Peak. The Tooth is a popular rock-climbing destination, even in winter. The easiest route is class 4 scrambling, but solid rock provides technical routes, with the South Face considered a classic 5.4 climb that was first done in 1928 by Anderson and Wunderling.
Preacher Mountain is a broad summit located in King County of Washington state. It's located at the western edge of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Kaleetan Peak, 3.11 miles (5.01 km) to the southeast. The Pulpit is situated 2.19 miles to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River.
Summit Chief Mountain is a 7,467-foot (2,276-meter) mountain summit located on the county line separating King County and Kittitas County in Washington state. It is entirely within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Summit Chief Mountain is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range, nine miles northeast of Snoqualmie Pass. Precipitation runoff from the west side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River, whereas the east side drains into tributaries of the Yakima River. The nearest higher peak is Chimney Rock, 1.29 miles (2.08 km) to the southwest.
Hibox Mountain is a 6,550-foot (1,996-metre) mountain summit located in the Cascade Range in Kittitas County of Washington state. It is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The mountain's name "Hibox" is a portmanteau which is derived from its position as the high point of Box Ridge. The peak is five miles east of Snoqualmie Pass, and Alta Mountain lies 1.5 miles to the west-northwest of Hibox. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Box Canyon Creek and Mineral Creek which both empty to Kachess Lake. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,250 feet above Box Canyon in one mile (1.6 km).
Mount Defiance is a 5,584-foot (1,702-metre) mountain summit located in King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Mount Defiance is situated 6.5 mi (10.5 km) west of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff on the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. The nearest higher peak is Granite Mountain, 3.96 mi (6.37 km) to the east-southeast, and Bandera Mountain is 1.85 mi (2.98 km) to the southeast. Mount Defiance can be reached by trail, with access via the Ira Spring, Talapus Lake, or Pratt Lake trailheads.
Mount Thomson is a prominent 6,554-foot-elevation (1,998-meter) mountain summit in eastern King County of Washington state.
Big Snow Mountain is a prominent 6,680-foot (2,040-metre) mountain summit located 7 mi (11 km) north of Snoqualmie Pass in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in eastern King County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie and Skykomish Rivers. The nearest higher peak is Overcoat Peak, 3.75 mi (6.04 km) to the east-southeast.
Mount Roosevelt is a 5,835-foot (1,779-metre) mountain summit located six miles (9.7 km) northwest of Snoqualmie Pass, in east King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range and is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mount Roosevelt is set above the western shore of Snow Lake, and two miles (3.2 km) immediately north of Kaleetan Peak, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. This mountain's toponym was officially adopted in 1989 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Wild Goat Peak is a 6,305-foot (1,922-metre) mountain summit located above the eastern shore of Gold Lake, in eastern King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range, and is situated in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie and Skykomish Rivers. The nearest higher neighbor is Big Snow Mountain, 1.91 mi (3.07 km) to the southwest. This peak was once called "Big Snowy".
Little Big Chief Mountain is a 7,225-foot (2,202-metre) mountain summit located immediately southwest of Dutch Miller Gap, on the common border separating King County and Kittitas County in Washington state. It is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Little Big Chief Mountain is set ten miles northeast of Snoqualmie Pass on the crest of the Cascade Range. Precipitation runoff from the west side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River, whereas the east side drains into tributaries of the Yakima River. The nearest higher peak is Summit Chief Mountain, 0.7 miles (1.1 km) to the southwest, and Chimney Rock is set 2.2 miles (3.5 km) to the southwest. The first ascent of this peak was made in August 1939 by Fred Beckey, Wayne Swift, Joe Barto, and Campbell Brooks. This mountain was named for Lorenz A. Nelson during the 1925 Mountaineers climb of Summit Chief Mountain. Nelson was a pioneering mountaineer who led first ascents of Mount Olympus, Mount Meany, and Chiwawa Mountain.
Thunder Mountain is a 6,556-foot (1,998-metre) mountain summit located above the eastern shore of Glacier Lake, on the common border of King County and Chelan County in Washington state. It's part of the Wenatchee Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range, and is situated in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into Surprise Creek, or east into tributaries of Icicle Creek. The nearest higher neighbor is Nimbus Mountain, 0.56 mi (0.90 km) to the northeast, and Surprise Mountain is set 0.88 mi (1.42 km) to the southwest. The Pacific Crest Trail skirts this peak as it passes between Thunder Mountain and Spark Plug Mountain.
Burnt Boot Peak is a 6,540-foot (1,993-metre) mountain summit located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in eastern King County of Washington state. The peak is part of the Cascade Range and is one mile east of the crest of the range. Burnt Boot Peak is situated 6.5 mi (10.5 km) northeast of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Huckleberry Mountain is set 1.87 mi (3.01 km) to the south, and the nearest higher neighbor is Lemah Mountain, 1.34 mi (2.16 km) to the east. This unofficially-named mountain is located at the head of the officially-named Burnboot Creek, variant spelling Burntboot Creek. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains south into this creek, or north into Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. The first ascent of this peak was made in August 1963 by Phil Weiser and Clarke Stockwell. The first ascent via the north ridge route was made in June 1971 by Don Williamson, Tom Oas, and Bill Bucher.
Iron Cap Mountain is a 6,347-foot (1,935-metre) mountain summit located two miles west-northwest of Dutch Miller Gap, in east King County of Washington state. It is situated in the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Iron Cap Mountain is set two miles west of the crest of the Cascade Range. Precipitation runoff from the south side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River, whereas the north side drains into tributaries of the Foss River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since Iron Cap rises 2,500 feet above the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley in less than one mile. Its neighbors include La Bohn Peak, 1.77 miles (2.85 km) to the east, and Little Big Chief Mountain, 2.14 miles (3.44 km) to the southeast.